Ruud Van Nistelrooy Shares Insights on Brief Coaching Period with Man Utd, Expresses Enjoyment
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Leicester, Dec 2 (NationPress) Ruud Van Nistelrooy addressed the press for the first time since his appointment as head coach of Leicester City, ahead of the team's inaugural match under his guidance. The 48-year-old reminisced about his short but unbeaten period as interim manager of Manchester United.
"It was a positive experience. Although it was brief and intense, I was pleased to contribute and stabilize the team. They are enjoying a favorable run of results following those four matches, which is wonderful to witness. I found great fulfillment in being accountable, fostering a connection with both the squad and the fans, and slightly shifting the club's momentum. That is our duty, and it felt fantastic to accomplish that. Now, I'm in a position to do it once more," Nistelrooy stated during the press conference.
Nistelrooy joined Manchester United's coaching staff as an assistant to Erik Ten Hag in June 2024 and subsequently took over as interim head coach following Ten Hag's dismissal. During his brief tenure, the team remained unbeaten across four matches, a commendable feat considering they were languishing in 14th place when Ten Hag left, achieving three victories and one draw.
The arrival of Ruben Amorim, along with his coaching team from Sporting CP, led to an abrupt end to van Nistelrooy's interim coaching position at the club.
Van Nistelrooy, a renowned striker in Premier League history, is now set to coach Jamie Vardy at Leicester City. Vardy famously broke van Nistelrooy's record for the most consecutive Premier League games with a goal during Leicester's remarkable title-winning campaign in the 2015-16 season.
Van Nistelrooy humorously acknowledged the situation, saying "it's a significant matter" that Vardy surpassed his record.
"It’s indeed a concern that he broke my record! I made that clear to him right away, stating we have a major issue that needs addressing before we can move forward together. That was the first thing I mentioned to him. I had acknowledged his achievement at the time. It’s peculiar how time unfolds, but it makes for a good story," he added.
His appointment at the Foxes coincided with the exit of head coach Steve Cooper, following the team’s disappointing start to the Premier League season.
